Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Sep 17, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 36.

Question Corner

By Editor

"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."

This Inquirers' Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.

3854—Good and Evil Angels

Do good and evil angels both follow a wicked person? R. T.

From their nature and work, we would gather that they do. The evil angels are angels of Satan. As it is Satan's object to go about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), we may be sure that his messengers, or demons, will do everything in their power to destroy souls. That is his work, that must be the work of those who are under him. We know also that God does all that He can to win men to Him. The power and influence which does this is His Holy Spirit. John 16:8. By the Spirit the world is convinced of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; but God does this by placing His Spirit upon His angels and upon men, coöperating together. Consequently when the heart is touched and brought to repentance, it is God who gives the repentance. Acts 11:18. This is illustrated in the case of Cornelius. God's angel went to him, but the Lord must send His servant also, and the two coöperated in the salvation and enlightenment of Cornelius. So it was with the apostle Paul: angels and men coöperated in his salvation. We can not believe for one moment that God would give His only-begotten Son to save men, and then not use every means in His power to induce men to yield to that salvation. Certainly God calls every one. Isa. 45:22; Rev. 22:17; and other scriptures. Jesus declares that "no man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." As God calls every one, He must draw every one; consequently His angels are used in this very work of drawing and saving men. But we may also believe that when men utterly refuse to listen to the still voice of the angel, to turn from their evil ways, good angels of God will leave them to themselves and to the buffetings of Satan. But on the other hand, we may also believe that when any soul turns from his sin toward God, God will send His good angels to succor and save. Ps. 34:7; Psalm 91.